ATW 158, 2nd refurb train

[connor7777]

When will the 2nd refurbished unit be released?
Do they start on the next unit once a unit has been refurbished straight away?

 

[merlodlliw]

When will the 2nd refurbished unit be released?
Do they start on the next unit once a unit has been refurbished straight away?

dont know, only if they have one spare to tart up, ATW will be scraping on May 22, when the extra Wag Ex starts with a 175,which will have to be taken off another service,so will need a replacement, probably a 158.


Bob

 

[seagull]

158838 in at the moment.

I had heard the plan was to do two at a time after the first one, but I can't see it happening with the shortage that would create. Even more so given the proposed strengthening to 4-car of the 11.00 and 12.56 Mach-Pwllheli for the summer.

 

[IanPooleTrains]

I think they are doing the paint jobs over at Crewe at Pete Waterman's depot (the one opposite Basford Hall) but not sure. I know I have seen a few 158s hanging around in there whenever I have passed Crewe

 

[fgwrich]

I think they are doing the paint jobs over at Crewe at Pete Waterman's depot (the one opposite Basford Hall) but not sure. I know I have seen a few 158s hanging around in there whenever I have passed Crewe

ATWs 158s are undergoing overhaul, repainting & refurbishment in Crewe LNWR - Long since owned by Arriva Themselves (2008)

http://www.lnwr.com/news.php

 

[IanPooleTrains]

ATWs 158s are undergoing overhaul, repainting & refurbishment in Crewe LNWR - Long since owned by Arriva Themselves (2008)

http://www.lnwr.com/news.php

I bow to superior knowledge

 

[connor7777]

Sorry to go off topic, but did you mean 4 car Mach to Pwllheli in the summer. Good luck to finding the rolling stock.

158s ready by spring 2012, sureley it will take less time than that to overhaul the very few 158s that they have. lol

 

[merlodlliw]

158838 in at the moment.

I had heard the plan was to do two at a time after the first one, but I can't see it happening with the shortage that would create. Even more so given the proposed strengthening to 4-car of the 11.00 and 12.56 Mach-Pwllheli for the summer.

Will this run as a 4 car just from Mach? as it presumably starts in Birmingham/.

Bob

 

[seagull]

I believe the plan (similar or the same as last year) is that the 08.09 Birmingham-Aber will run as 4-car to Machynlleth (up from 2-car in the winter timetable), at Machynlleth the front 2-car unit will continue forward to Aber, while the rear 2-car unit couples to another unit off the siding to make a 4-car Mach-Pwllheli.

That's the *plan*, the reality may be somewhat different...

 

[Arriva158]

dont know, only if they have one spare to tart up, ATW will be scraping on May 22, when the extra Wag Ex starts with a 175,which will have to be taken off another service,so will need a replacement, probably a 158.


Bob

158838 fortunately was sent up to Crewe the same day as 840 came out, explains why a 150 was working Birmingham - Holyhead 2 weeks ago, covering the diagram!, 158831 is now another worry as she's at LNWR with engine problems after hitting LPG tanks near Valley, so expect a swap/shortform here and there!

 

[jones_bangor]

dont know, only if they have one spare to tart up, ATW will be scraping on May 22, when the extra Wag Ex starts with a 175,which will have to be taken off another service,so will need a replacement, probably a 158.Bob

Why not use some of the Canton Mk2's on a LHCS diagram for the Cardiff - Holyheads? 3/4 behind a 57 should do the job!

 

[Rhydgaled]

Why not use some of the Canton Mk2's on a LHCS diagram for the Cardiff - Holyheads? 3/4 behind a 57 should do the job!

Trobble is the 57 will use a heck of alot of fuel due to having to drag a second loco around on the back to allow the reversal at Chester. Now, if WAG can be pursuaded to scrap the A477 re-routing and A40 bypass perhaps they would be able to buy the 6 free mark 2 DBSOs that would avoid having to top and tail. Getting them in a fit state and fitting the right kind of TDM to the locos would probablly take us to December though, so they wouldn't be ready to help this summer, we will probablly still find the extra capacity very useful next year though.

 

[jones_bangor]

Trobble is the 57 will use a heck of alot of fuel due to having to drag a second loco around on the back to allow the reversal at Chester. Now, if WAG can be pursuaded to scrap the A477 re-routing and A40 bypass perhaps they would be able to buy the 6 free mark 2 DBSOs that would avoid having to top and tail. Getting them in a fit state and fitting the right kind of TDM to the locos would probablly take us to December though, so they wouldn't be ready to help this summer, we will probablly still find the extra capacity very useful next year though.

Are Mark 2 DBSO really fit for use in "modern" traffic? I understand they're just a Mark 2 with a cab retrofitted on the end? Are they really crash worthy? There's a lot of level crossings on the Marches line, it only takes one idiot and this question becomes very real.

If push-pull is required, then 67 + a proper DVT.

There's also a long wait at Chester with many North-South services, so plenty of time for a run-around in one of the middle platforms.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Are Mark 2 DBSO really fit for use in "modern" traffic? I understand they're just a Mark 2 with a cab retrofitted on the end? Are they really crash worthy? There's a lot of level crossings on the Marches line, it only takes one idiot and this question becomes very real.

If push-pull is required, then 67 + a proper DVT.

There's also a long wait at Chester with many North-South services, so plenty of time for a run-around in one of the middle platforms.

Network Rail use some, hence me only suggesting 6 as I think that's all there is that Network Rail don't use (and 6 DBSOs happens to work out fairly well with the number of mark 2s Arriva have, giving 6 4 coach sets). It happens that it is mark 2s that we have sitting around doing nothing, so it makes sence to use them with a mark 2 DBSO rather than a mark 3 DVT if push-pull is required. A new build DVT would be able to carry passengers, but the current ones don't so if you need push-pull and don't need to go faster than 100mph it makes more sence to me to use the DBSOs which do have seats rather than a DVT that doesn't. If there is a problem with using the DBSOs with passengers though, roll on the mark 3 DVTs.

Anyone know if you could really do run-rounds at Chester on a regular basis? If so, get using that mark 2 stock of yours Arriva!

 

[connor7777]

The Newtown bypass shuld be scrapped then.

 

[jones_bangor]

The Newtown bypass shuld be scrapped then.

The single most effective thing to relieve the traffic problem in Newtown would be to get rid of the ridiculous traffic lights in the town. I'm convinced it is these, not the volume of traffic, that are the main reason for congestion there!!

 

[merlodlliw]

The single most effective thing to relieve the traffic problem in Newtown would be to get rid of the ridiculous traffic lights in the town. I'm convinced it is these, not the volume of traffic, that are the main reason for congestion there!!

I travel to the RWAS at Llandod often, I fully agree with you,too many traffic lights since Tessie Cohen arrived in town, not the amount of traffic, plus no way round it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Anyone know if you could really do run-rounds at Chester on a regular basis? If so, get using that mark 2 stock of yours Arriva![/QUOTE]

ATW do it when they send Geralds stock for urgent Saturday servicing at Canton via Wrexham,they usually replace a 175,locking out the kitchen & 1st Class.
Regular basis of course they could, but ATW don't want to, too much to be made out of the fares they keep running it via Crewe.
There was a spare path via Wrexham , but ignored.

Bob

 

[Rhydgaled]

Anyone know if you could really do run-rounds at Chester on a regular basis? If so, get using that mark 2 stock of yours Arriva!

ATW do it when they send Geralds stock for urgent Saturday servicing at Canton via Wrexham,they usually replace a 175,locking out the kitchen & 1st Class.
Regular basis of course they could, but ATW don't want to, too much to be made out of the fares they keep running it via Crewe.
There was a spare path via Wrexham , but ignored.

Bob

In this case I wasn't refering to the WAG Expresses, I was just wondering if the Arriva mark 2s that are not in use on Gerald could be used to replace the 175s on Holyhead - Cardiff workings when there is a shortage of 175s without needing the DBSOs. That would avoid using a 150 or a 158 that would be very useful elsewhere as you could use the mark 2 stock to cover for a shortfall in 175s.

With the Gerald set when it ends up replacing a 175 on Saturday why do they lock first class out of use? it'd probablly be neater to sell the normal trolley refreshments from the buffet and either de-clasify 1st class or have whoever's on buffet duty collect money from anyone who feels like upgrading to first class (as the service is booked for a 175 I very much doubt anyone would actually have a 1st class ticket).

 

[merlodlliw]

No idea why the First/Premier class is locked out,

Take your point about the Mark2s.

Anyhow we should see the 67s s & DVT from December, unless the new Minister gets the red pencil out,but with £3.5M promised to ATW for WAG2 it will interesting times. Its still immoral for ATW to have so many Mk2s in mothballs at Canton.


Bob

 

[1V53]

Never known the Gerald set replace a 175 on a Saturday?! Chester and Crewe staff aren't passed for working this stock so I'm surprised if this has happened. I think you are thinking of the rugby specials via Crewe?

Also re 158831, I believe this was moved by road from Porthmadog recently after a major brake component failure. Not sure about the Valley story, think this is incorrect.

 

[merlodlliw]

Never known the Gerald set replace a 175 on a Saturday?! Chester and Crewe staff aren't passed for working this stock so I'm surprised if this has happened. I think you are thinking of the rugby specials via Crewe?

Also re 158831, I believe this was moved by road from Porthmadog recently after a major brake component failure. Not sure about the Valley story, think this is incorrect.

No I am correct, this was discussed on rail forums,it was the time the dinning car had a major problem on the Friday and was out of use, the stock was taken to Canton via Wrexham the following day(Saturday) for attention using a 175 path. Pictures of it at Wrexham appeared on North Wales rail website newsboard,so will be on their site.

Bob

 

[1V53]

No I am correct, this was discussed on rail forums,it was the time the dinning car had a major problem on the Friday and was out of use, the stock was taken to Canton via Wrexham the following day(Saturday) for attention using a 175 path. Pictures of it at Wrexham appeared on North Wales rail website newsboard,so will be on their site.

Bob

Ok I stand corrected but as a one off and probably with a fair bit of extra staffing cost etc to make it happen. Not something that can easily be regularly replicated without re-rostering staff I'd suggest, and despite what has been said on here the time needed and other service paths into and out of Chester station don't make the run round a particularly smooth operation.

 

[merlodlliw]

Ok I stand corrected but as a one off and probably with a fair bit of extra staffing cost etc to make it happen. Not something that can easily be regularly replicated without re-rostering staff I'd suggest, and despite what has been said on here the time needed and other service paths into and out of Chester station don't make the run round a particularly smooth operation.

Cheers

Bob

 

[the-gog]

From a pal of mine:

"158838 the 2nd to be 'refurbed' on its way to Canton running 40 late due to running on one engine only. Well that's a good start!"

 

[TomJ93]

Why not use Locos on the BHI to Holyhead? A good long rake (5/6) but still the problem of run arounds/ extra loco/ DVT exsists. Will MkIIs work with DVTs? How many 158s would be free if this happened?

 

[MCR247]

What stock is this?

 

[Rhydgaled]

Why not use Locos on the BHI to Holyhead? A good long rake (5/6) but still the problem of run arounds/ extra loco/ DVT exsists. Will MkIIs work with DVTs? How many 158s would be free if this happened?

That's almost exactly what I suggested, only my rakes were 47/7 + 3x mrk2 + mrk2 DBSO, to make use of the number of coaches Arriva have and because the longest trains on this service (and then not all year round as I found out on here fairly recently) are 4-car. The problem is the Birmingham International to Holyhead set comes off the Cambrian, and vise-versa. One solution that was suggested when I put the idea out on the fourms would be to transfer the LM Birmingham - Shrewsbury paths to the Wales franchise and put the Birmingham - Holyheads into that path and make the Cambrian mainline hourly, transfering the Birmingham - Shrewsbury path currently used by the Holyheads to the extra Cambrian service. Now that I've found out the Holyheads are normally only 2-car from Shrewsbury to Holyhead I doubt (just a wild guess though) there'd be enough spare stock left to provide anything more than the extra Cambrians.

 

[Pumbaa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36410876@N03/5699149177/

 

[Rhydgaled]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36410876@N03/5699149177/

So there are two of them now. Wow! That was quick, how long exactlly has it been since it was put in for refurbishment? I doubt it entered the works before 840 left?

 

[1V53]

So there are two of them now. Wow! That was quick, how long exactlly has it been since it was put in for refurbishment? I doubt it entered the works before 840 left?

It went in when 840 came out. The first is usually longer in these situations: little problems to solve, snagging etc. If you have ever put together kitchen units you will know how much quicker the second and third are than the first!!!